Report: Israel, Sasha Gusov, author and photographer
When I received this book, almost half a year after I had initially won it from LibraryThing, I dropped everything to view the pages. October 7th captivated the world, but it left an indelible mark on my psyche. This book reaffirmed my devotion to, and my support of, Israel, because while its photographic emphasis seems to be on how Israelis dealt with their initial pain and suffering and then moved on, doing what it had to do, it is also coupled with photos of the ever-prevalent internal strife and external hate Israel deals with on a daily basis. It views Israel through the lens of courage. Israel, like all countries, has its flaws and its virtues. It is not perfect, but it is not the vicious enemy it has been portrayed to be by the media and those that want to destroy it. Israel is fighting for its survival in a world that seems intent on its destruction. These photographs represent Israel and the courage of its people.
As a Jew, the horror of October 7th in Israel seemed to strike at the heart of my very existence and the safety of my own family and friends here in America. I know someone who flew from America to Israel to volunteer to work to fill the gap of those who were now serving in the military, I have friends who have homes there and have children who serve in the IDF, I have friends who had children stranded there who had been touring or visiting, and I also have friends who did not understand the plight of Israel and refused to condemn those who marched demanding “from the river to the sea”!
These photographs represent Israeli life even in the midst of both war and peace, since it has experienced constant turmoil almost since the very first day it was declared a country. By necessity, all Israelis are soldiers, but they are all also human beings from all walks of life. They are male and female, rich and poor, young and old, for and against the government’s policies, protesters and supporters, but they all love their land and will fight for the survival of the Jewish homeland. Many believe that the survival of the Jewish people is inherent in the survival of Israel.
After October 7th, most Jews I know, and most decent people the world over, were horrified and moved to tears by the events of October 7th. The unwarranted violence committed by terrorists in Israel was shocking, but even more shocking was the reversal of public opinion shortly after, so that the terrorists were able to hijack the microphone. Although they had committed genocide and incredible atrocities, they were able to reverse the story and rewrite the narrative to blame the violence on Israel, when Israel was merely fighting back to prevent them from doing it again. The media supported the terrorists and rewrote the story to suit their narrative as they screamed “from the river to the sea”, which amounts to demanding Israel’s annihilation This was the plan of those who invaded on October 7th.
On October 7th, genocide was committed against Israelis, but instead, the enemies of Israel and many decent people, worldwide, seem to have come to the conclusion that Israel is now at fault. Victim blaming has become a common pastime. If only you hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t be forced to do this! Israelis were the victims of unwarranted mass murder, torture and destruction, yet they are being accused of genocide because they are fighting back to prevent their enemies from returning to do even greater harm. There are no words to describe the events of October 7th that do not defy the human imagination. The monstrous behavior was cheered by the people of Gaza. They gleefully recorded their sadistic brutality and lack of humanity. There are no words to describe the way their behavior and hateful desire to destroy Israel, and its citizens, has been corrupted to make the Jews the villains, though they were the victims. Why has the world ignored their plight and placed the blame on their shoulders? Not one Gazan ever offered to help a hostage. Israelis of all stripes, men women, children, and animals, were murdered in cold blood, butchered, burnt alive, tortured. Where is the outcry? The support for the terrorists defies the imagination because many of the supporters would be summarily executed by these same enemies of Israel.
This photo journal will take the viewers on a journey that will show the world the resilience and resourcefulness of the Israelis in the face of the danger they deal with on a daily basis. It concentrates on showing the IDF and how it secures Israel’s safety. The world must know the truth of October 7th, but it must also understand the reasons why the country engaged in the war that followed, not only with Hamas, but also with Hezbollah. They are intent on Israel’s destruction and with wiping out the Jews. The truth alone will silence the protesters. After October 7th, the belief that extending a friendly hand, teaching the latest technology, embracing the enemy to improve their lives, became a non-viable solution. Those images from that day of the bodies and the destruction, of the hostages and the iconic photos of the two little red-headed babies wrapped in their mother’s arms will never be forgotten. Why were they terrorized and murdered? What threat did they present to anyone? The people that were murdered were the very people who believed in working toward peace with their enemies. They welcomed them into their land, and they paid for it with their lives. My heart hurts for the victims and the survivors who had nothing but the best of intentions.
Still, my mind cannot get around the idea that there are so many who support the very terrorists who were responsible for the terrible deeds committed on that day. Perhaps a book of photographs, with brief descriptions, can turn the tide and instead of blaming Israel and Israelis can shine a light on their hopefulness, resourcefulness and resilience, but first and foremost, on their continued effort to never forget and to always survive. As the viewer travels through the photographs, the invaluable commentary will take each on a journey, beginning with the most heartbreaking, monstrous event that took place in Israel, but then ending by leading them to the time afterwards, until the present day, to show a future for Israel, to show the power and greatness of this tiny country that has given so much to the world, one that right now seems to be an ungrateful world, with the exception of America.
There are some flaws in the book. The pictures that extend across two pages are difficult to see clearly. Also, some of the descriptions do not appear on the correct page. Because the book is so heavy, it will become a coffee table book, when it might really be a good text for students in school.